Book Review: The Dynamics of Human Trafficking in a Small Florida Town

• Published date: 01 September 2013
• Date: 01 September 2013
• Author: Patrick Webb
• DOI: 10.1177/1057567712475303
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

political games coupled with the marked decline in civil engagement since the 1960s led to the

weakening of participatory discourse and ultimately a skepticism of the role of laypersons in the

criminal justice system. This lack of discourse and skepticism of the layperson deflected citizen

responsibility and led to an increased reliance of ‘‘experts’’ whom we trust to handle the ‘‘dirty

work.’’ While Dzur’s theoretical reviews might benefit from analyzing more judicial theorists of the

1960s, his philosophical perspectives highlight how the public can influence citizenship and

democracy and how rational disorganization of the jury maintains checks and balances in the court

system. His analyses of theoretical perspectives (Weber, Tocqueville, Mill, Montesquieu, Rousseau,

Duff, Christie, etc.) demonstrate how jury trials can help combat the penal state. Jurors are active

learners in the courts who can affect public policy and change through discourse and the communi-

cative and deliberative nature of criminal trials, but only if we believe jurors can contribute to and

are a collaborative part of the adjudicative process.

The final three chapters address some of the judicial reforms (i.e., restorative justice programs,

citizens’ juries, and deliberative polls) to demonstrate how each can provide greater participation

in governmental and adjudicative processes. Dzur also remarks on ways in which reforms have been

made to enhance juror experience (i.e., note taking, witness questioning, greater authority in senten-

cing, etc.) and create a more participatory process. Dzur also discusses the hidden social costs

associated with the plea bargaining process and then brings us back to fundamental arguments that

include how our overreliance on experts in the criminal justice system compromises information

sharing, discourse, and shared responsibility.

In its conclusion, Dzur concedes that he does not think of the jury or jury reforms as a panacea for

more effective government or even hyperincarceration. That said his emphasis on hyperincarcera-

tion as the foreground of his argument can be considered a weakness. While checks and balances

on judicial power were considered a fundamental premise, it seemed to remain in the background.

Using hyperincarceration as the basis of the argument suggests reviving juries will reduce incarcera-

tion rates. Yet, there was no empirical evidence presented that demonstrates laypersons’ attitudes are

less punitive than experts. What might happen if incarceration rates decline? How should problems

raised by popular culture be addressed if juries do get more power? While Dzur’s call for such

reform is both timely and appropriate, he provides little empirical evidence to support his arguments

and lacks practical examples or legal cases that can serve to bolster his views and provide tangible

implications. Despite these weaknesses, the book reminds us that if we are going to begin to rebuild

trust in our justice system and (possibly) reduce our penal state, then we must begin to see laypersons

(jurors) as equal contributors in the process of deliberation ... only then will we be able to reach for

the shared responsibility which is all ours.

Erin C. Heil

The Dynamics of Human Trafficking in a Small Florida Town Boulder, CO: First Forum Press, 2012. ix. 169 pp.

$58.50. ISBN 978-1-935049-51-7

Reviewed by: Patrick Webb, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

DOI: 10.1177/1057567712475303

In The Dynamics of Human Trafficking in a Small Florida Town, Erin Heil offers an in-depth and

multifaceted description of human trafficking in the United States. Through the use field interviews

and observations, the text explores the following:

322 International Criminal Justice Review 23(3)